'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After the opening stretch of games in 2018-19, Liverpool is one of three teams to have twelve points out of a possible twelve. It is the first time they have won their opening four matches of a Premier League season.
They have done so, conceding only one goal in the process. With the defence being a massive improvement, the Reds seem revitalised for this season. The added layer of depth is helpful, something that will go a long way in helping them this season.
Following the Champions League group stage draw, Liverpool's September just got a lot more difficult.
Having been drawn with Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli, the Reds will surely relish these big European games.
However, they do have the league to contend with and in a period where they play three of their rivals from the top six, it is extremely important to stay in control. Add in a cup fixture against Chelsea and the Reds will have a lot of juggling to do over the next four weeks.
It was during this period last season when Liverpool's progress deviated to the point where the title was already out of reach.
One win, four draws and two defeats from seven games really hampered Jurgen Klopp and his side's progress, a similar outcome from this run of games would spell major disaster for them.
These are the games where you must perform and win in order to compete for trophies. The Reds will be feeling the pressure, they must not fold.
Here are the possible happenings for Liverpool during this daunting seven-game stretch that could possibly end up defining their entire season.
#5 The Reds will drop their first points of the season at Wembley
Liverpool's first game after the international break will be away at Tottenham. Originally scheduled to be the first game to be played at the new White Hart Lane stadium, a delay has caused this match to take place at Wembley instead.
Wembley used to be Liverpool's home away from Anfield in the past, but the Reds have found it difficult there in recent seasons. Their last game at Wembley resulted in a 4-1 mauling at the hands of Spurs.
The North Londoners enjoyed a good start to the season, claiming maximum points before losing to Watford in a major upset.
Heung-min Son will be back for them, after becoming a national hero following South Korea's victory in football at the Asian Games. Their other English players will also settle in better than in the previous month. Tottenham will pose a major threat to the Reds.
Liverpool's perfect start cannot last forever, it will likely end at the hands of Mauricio Pochettino's men. The players may have last season's horror show in mind when they step on to the Wembley pitch, although the Reds' defence has completely transformed from that fateful day in October.
With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez already forming an extremely solid partnership, Liverpool will be very tough to beat. It will be a tough ask to beat Spurs, as well. Shared points seem to be the most likely option.
#4 PSG will feel the wrath of Anfield on a European night
The Champions League group stage begins the week after the international break and Liverpool's biggest game is up first.
Paris Saint-Germain has completely dominated Ligue 1 to the point where their players are just having fun, so they will need to do well in Europe to legitimize their ascent to become one of the top teams in world football.
So far they have not impressed, as they crashed out in the Last 16 in the previous two seasons. Despite spending an absolute fortune on building a dream squad, PSG cannot seem to get the job done in the Champions League.
Neymar and co. will go again this year in an attempt to prove that they are indeed one of the big boys. Anfield is their first destination, no straightforward task.
The atmosphere at Anfield on any European night is electric but once a big team is in town, that's when it gets electric.
Liverpool fans are some of the most passionate in the world and their support has spurred the Reds on to many improbable victories in Europe.
They are a big reason why Liverpool are the most successful English club in the continental competition.
The fans will not stop when the likes of Neymar, Cavani and the others come to town. In fact, they will be inspired. Inspired to cheer the Reds on even more for the Champions League's return to Anfield after a brief hiatus.
The likes of Manchester City and Roma have suffered the wrath of the Reds' blistering attack, with the Kop faithful in the background. Perhaps, the French champions are next.
#3 Liverpool will stay unbeaten after the two Chelsea games
Over the course of five days, the Reds are set to meet Chelsea twice, both in the cup and the league.
The two heavyweights will go head-to-head at Anfield in the third round of the League Cup before they meet again later in the week at Stamford Bridge.
It is an early battle of attrition between two teams who will want to win it all this season. Both sides currently have a 100% record in the Premier League so far this season.
Maurizio Sarri has already done wonders for the Blues and their style of play. They look much more dangerous this season and will be a threat to any team in the land.
However, this will be a great time to test the strength and depth of Liverpool's overall squad. The likes of Fabinho, Daniel Sturridge, Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne have not started a game yet this season.
They will get their chance to prove their worth over these few weeks. The League Cup fixture at Anfield seems to be the time for these players to get some valuable game time in a big match.
The Reds have slowly been making Anfield a fortress in the last few years. They have only lost eight games at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp, and only four in the league.
Bar one slip up against West Brom in the FA Cup, They spent the entirety of last season unbeaten at home. This is why they should be able to see Chelsea off in their first meeting.
The second one, however, poses a difficult challenge. As mentioned earlier, Sarri's side has been playing some really attractive football.
They will look to put Liverpool to the sword quickly. However, the Reds have beaten the Blues at the Bridge before. They won four times there in the last eight seasons, including Klopp's first two visits.
This might prove to be the toughest league game during this period of the season, one that does not necessarily favour anyone.
Again, like Tottenham, it will be difficult to pick up three points. But Klopp's men do possess a new stern solidity, which is going to help them pick up some valuable points this season. The game against Chelsea could prove to be one of them.
#2 Napoli will beat the Reds
After positive results across September, this is where the fatigue kicks in. A trip to Stadio San Paolo is an extremely daunting task under any circumstance but at the time Liverpool will be going there, the challenge just might be too much.
Napoli were inches away from picking up the Serie A title last season and will be hopeful outsiders in this season's Champions League.
Placed with the Reds and PSG, they will also be finding it tough. They also had their identity taken from them when Maurizio Sarri left and moved to Chelsea.
Decorated manager Carlo Ancelotti is currently in charge of them, as they are looking to go one step further this season.
They have the attacking ability, pace and flair that can hurt Liverpool, especially after a daunting run of games. This is probably their toughest game of the season at the moment, purely because of the timing.
The likes of Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and the others can kill teams in a matter of minutes, something the Reds have built a reputation of doing under Klopp. However, hostile environments like this are due to be a cause for concern, as will the forthcoming trip to Red Star Belgrade.
Liverpool's last away trip to Naples resulted in a goalless draw, during the dark days of Roy Hodgson at the Anfield hot seat.
A lot has changed since then. The Reds can actually compete on all fronts. They have the squad to do so.
However, it is inevitable that they will lose at some stage. If they somehow exit this set of games completely unscathed, it will be very surprising indeed.
Their last trip to Italy did provide a tough challenge, although the Reds survived Roma's onslaught to reach the Champions League final.
Napoli will take advantage of Liverpool's grueling schedule to take the points and the lead in the group heading into the midway stage of this phase.
#1 Liverpool will end the run in style against Manchester City
Liverpool's impending run of games ends with a visit from the reigning champions, Manchester City. What better way to finish such a daunting period of fixtures with a game against possibly the greatest team in Premier League history?
However, this team has suffered the Reds' wrath first hand. Ever since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008, City has won away at every big club in the Premier League. From Old Trafford to the Emirates, from Goodison to Stamford Bridge, the Citizens have consistently reigned supreme on enemy territory. Except for Anfield.
They have not won an away game to Liverpool since 2003, a remarkable statistic. One which epitomizes the Reds and their incredible home form. In fact, Liverpool has won their last six home games against the mighty Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have gone head-to-head in their current roles six times in two seasons. Klopp has won four of those games, on top of his impressive record against the Spaniard in Germany.
Liverpool's attack was too hot to handle when the two teams met in the league in January. That was the day when City's unbeaten run was crushed. They played a great game, with all of the front three shining bright.
The Reds also knocked City out of the Champions League in the quarter-final, winning both legs in the process. Again, it is the power of Anfield that willed Liverpool on to a 3-0 win in the first leg.
In short, Klopp has Guardiola's number. And when it comes to Anfield, Liverpool have City's number.
There might be concerns for this match following an extremely difficult away trip to Napoli, but the Reds have adapted in the past.
During the 2014-15 season, they played the second leg of a Europa League tie away to Besiktas, along with extra time and penalties, just three days before entertaining City.
Liverpool overcame the adversity of European elimination, long travel and tough opponents to grit out a 2-1 win, following two stunners from Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho.
They have done it before, they can do it again. Expect the Reds to go into the next international break in style, after beating Manchester City.
